West side Quality Bull

[RB]

Hey all looking for general information about GMU 560 Lewis river Quality Bull tag (rifle, September quality hunt) there are not many quality hunts and was looking into this as one of my choices. I have been putting in for Nooksack last few years and will have 12 points this year going in. I live near Skagit county and know some of the area for Nooksack and know it would be an OIL tag if drawn.

I have been a member on here for almost five years and know how it works I am not looking for anyones honey hole just generalities of the unit. I have hunted GMU 520 Winston in the past and have been successful once (Bull in my avatar) and missed once (cow) in four years there, so I don't mind getting out and beating the brush a bit to get away from some of the people.

I would like to know are there decent opportunities to get a Bull behind locked gates? Are there decent places to stay or camp? Will I need a horse to get to the good ground because there are no roads? Is this really a "quality" tag? I know it is all in the tag holder for what quality means, but after 12 years just like everyone else I would like a good opportunity for an OIL Bull since this category really is that for most guys.

If you do not want to tell the entire forum please PM me with your comments.

Thanks in advance for looking

Bob

[rosscrazyelk]

Honestly your best chance at a really big bull on the west side is the Nooksack.  I would just put in the homework and time and it will pay off

[180-GRAIN]

Nooksack is your best bet for a big boy anymore in my opinion. I think a guy could find a dandy on the mt adams or goat rocks hunt as well but it takes a hell of a lot more work in my opinion. The west side has really gone down hill as far as quality permits the last few years. I used to put in for the Nooksack but with the decline of overall westside permits I decided to do eastside this year. I like to put elk meat in the freezer every year and the eastside seems to have way more opportunity for that anymore.

[RB]

The draw odds are about the same for rifle permits on either side of the mountains for quality tags in my opinion. Looked at putting in for Toutle but after reading comments on here it sounds like it is no where near what it used to be. Not really interested in using another weapon choice either. I am looking at other areas for general season as well just not the east side if I have to let a spike or two point walk here on the west I am ok with that watching the Bull of a lifetime walk away, as I have had to do on the east side, is very hard to do. 

[BUTTER]

Put in for eastside

[RB]

Put in for eastside

Thought about it but if I don't draw hunting spikes just does not appeal to me and it is quite a bit further to drive. 

[trophyhunt]

Best thing about putting in for quality hunts on the west side is when you don't draw, your still able to hunt 3 point or better Bulls somewhere!  Not a whole lot to choose from, you can probably figure out the best ones just by looking in the regs.  You should get more PM's than public post I bet.  Good luck this year!

[RB]

Yes indeed trophyhunt! If I put in the effort to haul my old fat carcass five miles behind a locked gate or a mile or three into the brush and get a shot at a good Bull I want to be able to take it not watch it walk away cause I did not draw a tag. thanks for the feed back so far guys keep it coming. I know Elk hunts are like gold, but to me the quality hunts are pretty much OIL tags in this state and am looking at options. Best of luck to all this year.

[jeffitz]

Ive been hunting the LR for about 10 yrs now and done good in rifle season,switched to muzzy last year and missed a dandy,the rut rifle hunt would be awesome no doubt.that being said im takin my points eastside this year.i know of an oldtimer that had the rut rifle LR 2 years ago and he saw a couple of big bulls but ended up taking a raghorn, but they were just roadhuntin

[RB]

Ive been hunting the LR for about 10 yrs now and done good in rifle season,switched to muzzy last year and missed a dandy,the rut rifle hunt would be awesome no doubt.that being said im takin my points eastside this year.i know of an oldtimer that had the rut rifle LR 2 years ago and he saw a couple of big bulls but ended up taking a raghorn, but they were just roadhuntin

Thank you appreciate the feedback. Thinking at this time I am going to put a few quality hunts on a spinning dart board, put on a blindfold, fire up a cigar and throw a couple darts and see what I hit. hahaha 

Best of luck to you this year

[johnsc6]

Nooksack is your best bet for a big boy anymore in my opinion. I think a guy could find a dandy on the mt adams or goat rocks hunt as well but it takes a hell of a lot more work in my opinion. The west side has really gone down hill as far as quality permits the last few years. I used to put in for the Nooksack but with the decline of overall westside permits I decided to do eastside this year. I like to put elk meat in the freezer every year and the eastside seems to have way more opportunity for that anymore.

Don't get to excited, the tribes are getting double the quota for this year- Yee haw.........
The general public is getting increased numbers of permits for shooting an elk in a pasture down by the river...... it's almost over.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Nooksack is your best bet for a big boy anymore in my opinion. I think a guy could find a dandy on the mt adams or goat rocks hunt as well but it takes a hell of a lot more work in my opinion. The west side has really gone down hill as far as quality permits the last few years. I used to put in for the Nooksack but with the decline of overall westside permits I decided to do eastside this year. I like to put elk meat in the freezer every year and the eastside seems to have way more opportunity for that anymore.

Don't get to excited, the tribes are getting double the quota for this year- Yee haw.........
The general public is getting increased numbers of permits for shooting an elk in a pasture down by the river...... it's almost over.

And the wolves have made it to the Skagit Valley, won't be long and the elk will be low in numbers, deer are already non excitant in most places here now. 

[Tbar]

Nooksack is your best bet for a big boy anymore in my opinion. I think a guy could find a dandy on the mt adams or goat rocks hunt as well but it takes a hell of a lot more work in my opinion. The west side has really gone down hill as far as quality permits the last few years. I used to put in for the Nooksack but with the decline of overall westside permits I decided to do eastside this year. I like to put elk meat in the freezer every year and the eastside seems to have way more opportunity for that anymore.

Don't get to excited, the tribes are getting double the quota for this year- Yee haw.........
The general public is getting increased numbers of permits for shooting an elk in a pasture down by the river...... it's almost over.

The Nooksack isn't what it used to be. All the elk are living in pastures and domesticated. There are probably better options out there. 

[skipjack]

 If you drew the LR rifle rut tag would you focus on the 522 border area?  Not that I would ever draw..